Project Officer (Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : CI/PA 028

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 29-AUG-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage. (The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The post is located in the Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Section of the Communication and Information Sector (CI/FMD/FEJ) at UNESCO Headquarters. The incumbent will exercise their duties and responsibilities under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information; the general guidance of the Director of the Division for Freedom of Expression, Media Development, and Media and Information Literacy; and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Section for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (CI/FMD/FEJ).

The incumbent will support the coordination and management of the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) and the delivery of a wide spectrum of related projects and activities, to enhance the realization of UNESCO's mandate according to the identified priorities within the frameworks of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and the approved Programme and Budget (C/5).

The post is located at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on a full-time basis. The incumbent will work in a collaborative team environment and will be responsible to undertake the following tasks:

Programme Management

• Coordinate, implement, monitor, evaluate and report on the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) in relation to its Outcome #1; provide programme and activity support related to the implementation of these Outcomes, including technical backstopping  and joint planning in cooperation with relevant CI’s colleagues in Headquarters and in the field offices; analyze specific data and needs and develop work-plans for review and approval by management; define and revise activities’ requirements and specifications ensuring consistency with relevant priorities and available resources; ensure the technical backstopping and support for the design and implementation of activities, especially in field offices, and the coherent implementation of contracts and partnerships.
• Develop schedules and methods for managing MDP implementation; monitor the Programme’s implementation and progress, participate in the Programme’s review and evaluation meetings, and take action or provide substantive inputs to improve delivery and/or resolve implementation issues/challenges in collaboration with relevant colleagues and partners.
• Support the overall Programme’s coordination and coherence among the MDP’s three Outcomes.
• Draft reports related to the MDP, including the annual progress reports, and the internal reporting. Also provide inputs for other reports and briefings, including those prepared for the Director-General and ADG/CI, when related to the MDP.

Long Description

Advice and Knowledge Management

• Provide information and technical advice to governments’ representatives, peers, management and colleagues on a variety of subject specific items in the areas of freedom of expression and safety of journalists, such as MDP-supported tools, resources and relevant policies.
• Remain aware of developments and advancements in these areas in order to inform and support colleagues and management on policy formulation, Programme development, resources and best practices, including enhancing their capacities for project management within the framework of MDP.
• Research, recommend and contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base in the MDP’s areas, ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and dissemination to colleagues, peers and stakeholders; carry out trend and priorities analysis, and research and recommend particular courses of action based on findings and provide inputs for the development of strategies and approaches.
• Draft and edit information material, website articles, concept notes, speeches, correspondence, briefings, project proposals, policy guidelines, terms of reference, reports, agreements and other documents related to the implementation of the MDP and in the areas of freedom of expression and safety of journalists.

Networking, Communication, and Partnerships

• Liaise with colleagues within the Section, the Division, the Sector and in other Sectors, Field Offices, Institutes and stakeholders to ensure a complementary, coherent and inter-sectoral approach in the implementation of the MDP; attend and participate in meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars, promoting knowledge sharing, contributing to advocacy efforts and promoting approaches and interventions of proven effectiveness.
• Support the outreach to public and private sector partners and stakeholders for the Programme’s visibility, as well as coherence and complementarity with donors’ and partners’ relevant policies, strategies and plans.
• Leverage on MDP’s implementation, to continue nurturing and upscaling UN-wide understanding and collaboration at global and local levels, around the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and safety of journalists (SDG 16).

Long Description

Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to the resource mobilization by preparing a variety of reports and other resources showcasing MDP’s impact, taking into account the Member States’ and donors’ priorities.
• Coordinate and follow-up on funding initiatives and reports, as well as draft funding agreements, ensuring alignment with overall programme/project objectives as well complementarity and synergies with other CI’s funding mechanisms (e.g. the International Programme for the Development of Communication, and the Global Media Defence Fund).
• Engage, support and participate in fundraising events and activities.
• Ensure multiplier effect of MDP in terms of upscaling its seed-funded activities by catalysing mobilization of larger fund in trust projects.
• Support exploring the potential for expanding MDP financial resource base to include private sector funding, and other non-traditional sources of funding.

Administrative Support

• Ensure constant tracking on the use of MDP’s resources across all its Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Supervise the Programme’s consultants, experts and other service providers.
• Identify human and technical resource needs, recruitment and performance management; develop monitoring mechanisms and ensure the application of assessment tools.
• Handle the full procedure for the selection and recruitment of external evaluators whenever required.
• Liaise with the administration on periodical financial reporting.

Support the work of the CI/FMD/FEJ Section and other specific duties contributing to the Sector’s mandate, particularly in relation to events, launches, campaigns, and other key communication activities.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communication, media studies, political science, international relations or in other areas covered by the work of UNESCO's programmes in Freedom of Expression, media development, safety of journalists; and media and information literacy.

Work Experience

• At least four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the development and implementation of multi-donor funded projects in the field of human rights, especially in subject areas related to freedom of expression and access to information, of which at least two (2) years acquired at international level.
• Experience in planning, coordinating and managing large projects on communication and information, particularly in subject areas related to freedom of expression, media development, safety of journalists.
• Experience in resource mobilization and visibility campaigns.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong understanding and knowledge of UNESCO's mandate and its programming in the areas of freedom of expression.
• Strong knowledge and analytical skills in international human rights standards, particularly on freedom of expression, safety of journalists, media development, as well as media and information literacy.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, following a results-based approach.
• Strong drafting and editing skills, with ability to draft, edit and produce reports on relevant issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to synthesize and exchange information on complex issues.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills, results-based management and results-based budgeting.
• Good IT skills, with proficiency in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), as well as in widely-used enterprise resource planning softwares.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities; capacity to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a complex and multicultural environment.

Long Description

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience in working with the United Nations or other equivalent international organizations.
• Previous experience at UNESCO.

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s administrative rules, procedures and practices; and its working tools.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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